J. Eric Dietz, PhD, PE Rejoining Purdue University in March 2008, J. Eric Dietz is the Director of the Purdue Homeland Security Institute, Associate Director of the e-Enterprise Center and Associate Professor in the Computer and Information Technology Department at Purdue University. On loan from Purdue to the State from 2005-2008, Eric was the founding Executive Director for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, a new cabinet-level department in Indiana that included over 300 public safety employees. Eric reorganized Indiana’s public safety planning and response placing the responsibility for the safety and security of 6.3 million Indiana residents in one organization. In this time, Dr. Dietz led development of comprehensive plans, training, and exercises needed to optimize Indiana’s emergency response had responsibility for the fire protection policy and response including the states’ building inspection functions. Also during this period, Eric led Indiana’s response to 7 Presidential Major Disasters and Emergency Declarations which included restoration and recovery of critical infrastructure. Prior to serving as Executive Director, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Dr. Dietz was responsible for the catalysis of Purdue’s homeland security research, increasing the impact of Purdue research on society, and organizing Super Projects in Purdue's Discovery Park. Retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army in 2004, Dr. Dietz led Army research and acquisition programs including chemical weapons detectors, command and control software and army power systems and was in the initial cadre of Uniformed Army Scientists and Engineers. During his Army career, Eric was a site project manager for the Johnston Atoll, Chemical Demilitarization Program where he was responsible for budget management, operational laboratory analysis, ancillary wastes and environmental compliance oversight. An Indiana native, Eric was graduated in 1984 from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology after earning a bachelor of science in chemical engineering. He also earned a master of science from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1986 and a PhD in Chemical Engineering in 1994 from Purdue University. Eric is a Professional Engineering in Indiana since 1994.